Absorbable fastener for hernia mesh fixation

Abstract

A method of forming and deploying an improved absorbable fastener for hernia mesh fixation is disclosed. The absorbable fastener of the present invention functions to securely fasten tough, non macro-porous, and relative inelastic mesh to soft tissue. The fastener is formed from co-polymers of lactide and glycolide.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fastener applier apparatus comprising:
 a body; 
 a trigger supported on the body; 
 an outer tube extending from the body; 
 at least one non-cannulated threaded fastener configured to threadably engage the outer tube; 
 a pinion gear supported on the body and operatively connected to the trigger, wherein actuation of the trigger results in rotation of the pinion gear in a first direction and release of the trigger results in rotation of the pinion gear in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and 
 a bevel gear supported on the body and operatively connected to the pinion gear, wherein rotation of the pinion gear in the first direction engages the bevel gear to rotate the bevel gear in the first direction, and wherein the bevel gear does not rotate as the pinion gear rotates in the second direction. 
 
     
     
       2. The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one complete squeeze of the trigger results in one complete rotation of the bevel gear. 
     
     
       3. The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a drive tooth associated with the pinion gear, and wherein the bevel gear defines a groove formed in a surface thereof for selective receipt of the drive tooth therein. 
     
     
       4. The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein rotation of the pinion gear in the first direction causes the drive tooth to engage the groove of the bevel gear to enable the bevel gear to rotate in the first direction. 
     
     
       5. The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein rotation of the pinion gear in the second direction causes the drive tooth to disengage from the groove of the bevel gear and prevent the bevel gear from rotating in the second direction. 
     
     
       6. The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-cannulated threaded fastener includes a threaded head section and a distal tissue snaring section, the threaded head section threadably engaged with threads of the outer tube. 
     
     
       7. The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-cannulated threaded fastener distally advances through the outer tube in response to rotation of the pinion gear in the first direction. 
     
     
       8. The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a bevel pinion coupled to the bevel gear, the bevel pinion rotatable in response to rotation of the bevel gear. 
     
     
       9. The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 8 , further including an inner tube coupled to the bevel pinion and rotatable in response to rotation of the bevel pinion. 
     
     
       10. The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the inner tube is configured to distally advance the at least one non-cannulated threaded fastener through the outer tube in response to rotation of the inner tube relative to the outer tube. 
     
     
       11. The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger is spring-biased toward an unactuated position by a return spring. 
     
     
       12. A fastener applier apparatus comprising:
 a body; 
 an outer tube extending from the body; 
 at least one non-cannulated threaded fastener supported in the outer tube; 
 a trigger pivotably coupled to the body and including a trigger gear; 
 a pinion gear rotatably coupled to the trigger gear of the trigger; 
 a flexible drive tooth associated with the pinion gear; and 
 a bevel gear defining a groove formed in a surface thereof, the groove configured to engage the drive tooth as the pinion gear rotates in a first direction and disengage the drive tooth as the pinion gear rotates in a second direction, the trigger gear configured to rotate the pinion gear without rotating the bevel gear as the pinion gear rotates in the second direction. 
 
     
     
       13. The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein one complete squeeze of the trigger results in one complete rotation of the bevel gear. 
     
     
       14. The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the drive tooth is coupled to a flexible arm that flexes to enable the drive tooth to selectively engage the groove as the pinion gear rotates between the first and second directions. 
     
     
       15. The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the trigger includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and wherein the body includes a handle, the first end of the trigger pivotably coupled to the handle of the body, the second end of the trigger having the trigger gear formed thereon. 
     
     
       16. The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the trigger is spring-biased toward an unactuated position by a return spring. 
     
     
       17. The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 12 , further including a bevel pinion coupled to the bevel gear and an inner tube coupled to the bevel pinion, the bevel pinion and the inner tube rotatable in response to rotation of the bevel gear. 
     
     
       18. The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the inner tube is configured to distally advance the at least one non-cannulated threaded fastener through the outer tube in response to rotation of the inner tube. 
     
     
       19. The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one non-cannulated threaded fastener includes a threaded head section and a distal tissue snaring section, the threaded head section threadably engaged with threads of the outer tube.